The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-23
BARNUM BURNED OUT,

The Greater Part of His Immense Stock
of Animals Destroyed by Fire.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,, November 20.-The
main building OF Barnum & Bailey's great
est show on earth Was entirely destroyed
by fire this evening. About 1880 O'Clock
q general alarm, and thousands of people
were drawn to the spat. In less than
thirty minutes the big building, which
was GOO by 200 feet and two stories in height,
was entirely consumed. The first intima-
ton of the FIRE was given by the roaring
OF the lions and tighes, which seemed to
realize the impending danger. Next the
elephants struggled in Their. chains. In an
incredibly short time the flames swept
from one end of the huge structure to the
other. There were six watchmen employed
on the premises but they were helpless to
check the flames. One of the men was in
the horse building when his lantern OK.
ploded, ignitfng the hay and straw.
Five Of the watchmen have reported, but
one is missing. The upper portion of the
building was filled with hay and all the
pa aphi rnalia of the great show. B sforeIehe
first alarm ceased sounding the whole
building was enveloped in fire and no one
dared to approach the building, being
fearful of the crszed animals. Three ele-
plants were burned up and thirty six
broke from their fastenings and dashed
through the sides of the burning building.
Their roars and trumpetings and sounds Of
torment were terrific, Six elephants and
q large African hippopotamus rushed
about the streets, presenting a sickening
appearance Their sides were burned aud
great pieces of flesh foot square fell off.
Thirty elephants and onelarge lion made
their escape and have started off across
the country toward Fairchild and Eaton.
Great alarm has seized many residents OF
the West End and they have taken refuge
within their houses with windows barred.
William Newman, the elephant trainer, is
out of town and the keepers were
not able, in the, excitement, to
herd the frightened animals. In the
TRAINED stations, ponies etc. These were
all burned. In the upper rooms were the
tents, poles, seats. harness, etc., for the
entire shows and these too were allidestroy-
ed. In the cat room were the birds, monkeys,
three rhinoceroses hyenas, tigers, lions
and ell the menagerie, which fell q prey
to the flames. So rapid did the flames
the iremen made no attempt to save
it, but turned their streams
upon the chariot buildings and car sheds
which they succeeded in saving, but the
heat was so intense that this was accom-
plished with the greatest difficulty. The
total loss is estimated at 1000, upon
which there was but 500. 900 insurance.
Before the building went down, Barnum's
agents were busy making arran gements
| for obtaining new lot of attrac tions to
| supply the loss. Mr.. Rothwell, Mr.. Bar.
NUNS Bridgeport agent stated that the
show building would be rebuilt, but not
in Bridgeport. The great show would
probably go to New York city where bet
ter railroad facilities can be had.
BRIDeEPoRT, Conn.,, November 21.-2 a.
m.-Tne Waterman making his rounds
discovered the fire and started to give the
alarm when some unknown person hit
him on the head with blunt instrument,
telling HIM to the ground and cutting a
number of severe gashes in his head.
He staggered to mis- feet
and gave the alarm, enabling the
other watchmen in the building who were
preparing for bed, to escape. One of the
three elephants burned was the famous sa-
cred white elephant. The lion which the
police attempted to kill at the time the
fire broke out, was afterwards found in a
barn deVouring COW which he had killed.
He was shot. The fire is now out.